PRINCESS ANNE, MD-(May 27, 2021)-Serving the region’s military veterans through horticulture training is one of Dr. Naveen Kumar Dixit’s passions. The horticulturist and University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension specialist has partnered over the past three years with regional agencies to provide free workshops on fruit and vegetable cultivation and is on the road to forming a Veterans Agriculture Association on Delmarva.
“Beginning farmers who are veterans are learning to produce specialty crops,” Dixit said. “Not only will it provide fresh food to local people, it also provides a source of income.”
Dixit has worked with veterans interested in agricultural enterprises through TALMAR Horticultural Therapy Center in Baltimore and the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, Northeast. His efforts have been met with one of his protégé’s interest in purchasing a two-acre piece of land around Baltimore to hire other veterans to produce fruits and vegetables for sale. Another, a woman, is interested in a start-up, apple orchard venture in Virginia where Dixit hopes to expand his extension outreach services soon.
For more information, call Dixit at 410-621-3650 or visit his UMES Extension page here.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-251-7009.
